Ohio State receiver Michael Thomas loses control of the ball as safety Ron Tanner defends during during Saturday's spring game in Columbus. / Jay LaPrete/AP

Written by

Larry Phillips

CentralOhio.com

COLUMBUS — There is no defense for the way Ohio State played defense in 2013.

In their final three games, the Buckeyes allowed 41 points to Michigan, 34 to Michigan State and 40 to Clemson. The pass defense particularly was bad, ranking 112th among 125 college football teams.

Those eye-popping numbers and a defensive staff shakeup put the spotlight on the Ohio State defense this spring, the secondary in particular. Former Arkansas defensive coordinator Chris Ash and former Penn State defensive line coach Larry Johnson were hired to patch the most glaring hole in the program.

Their emphasis is to tighten coverage and install a more aggressive approach.

“We were talked about so bad in the media and we were anxious to put on a show at the spring game,” starting safety Tyvis Powell said.

It wasn’t a bad show. In 103 snaps Saturday at Ohio Stadium, only two went for offensive touchdowns. No pass play stretched longer than 33 yards, and none led to a score.

The defense found the end zone when Rashad Frazier recorded a sack, stripped quarterback J.T. Barrett and pounced on the ball for a score. That effort is indicative of the attention Ash has spent on his defensive teammates.

“He’s very knowledgeable of the game,” the Steubenville product said. “He’s very confident in what he’s teaching.”

While Buckeye defenders weren’t facing starting quarterback Braxton Miller, they did show a decent awareness of their responsibilities, closer coverage and looked back for the ball at times. None of those elements could describe the 2013 secondary.

“Everybody has just bought in,” starting cornerback Doran Grant said. “We’ve worked hard in the offseason and tried to carry that through in the spring.”

Coach Urban Meyer said Grant, Powell and nickle back Armani Reeves are fairly locked into their positions, leaving a safety post to be won by either Vonn Bell or Cam Burrows as well as a cornerback spot to be handled by Gareon Conley or Eli Apple.

“Doran Grant has had a great spring, but the other spot is wide open,” Meyer said. “Gareon Conley is the most improved player back there and with Armani Reeves (and Grant), we have two pretty good corners.”

Meyer also said Josh Perry is a definite starting linebacker with Chris Worley and Darron Lee battling for one spot and freshman middle linebacker Raekwon McMillan dueling senior Curtis Grant for another.

Meyer will be disappointed if the Ohio State defensive line of Joey Bosa, Adolphus Washington, Noah Spence and Michael Bennett isn’t among the best in the nation. They should help that previously porous secondary.

“Our D-line has been putting so much pressure on the quarterbacks (that) the ball is coming out so much faster,” Powell said. “Our corners are pressing (the receivers), and we’re playing with a chip on our shoulder.”

It all sounds good in the spring, but proof will have to wait until the season begins Aug. 30 at Navy.